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About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in add... (More)

About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in addition to writing editorials for more than 15 years. I have served as a director of many non-profits in the Valley and the broader Bay Area and currently serve as chair of Teen Esteem and on the advisory board of Shepherd?s Gate. I also served as founding chair of Heart for Africa and have travelled to Africa seven times to serve on mission trips. My wife, Betty Gail, has taught at Amador Valley High (from where we both graduated) since 1981. She and I both graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, as did both of my parents and my three siblings. Given that Cal tradition, our daughter went south to the University of Southern California and graduated with a degree in international relations. Since graduation, she has taken three mission trips and will be serving in the Philippines for nine months starting in September. (Hide)

Fighting to wipe out changing our clocks

Uploaded: Mar 15, 2018

Fremont Assemblyman Kansen Chu is fighting the good fight when it comes to the absurd practice changing clocks twice a year.

Last year, the retired IBM employee, introduced AB 807 to eliminate daylight savings and keep clocks on standard time year-round. He modified the bill after complaints from parents who wanted daylight savings time for youth sports. The bill has passed the Assembly but is languishing in the Senate.

The bill would put the question of eliminating the twice-year time change to voters as a constitutional amendment. If it passed, then it would take an act of Congress to allow year-round daylight-saving time. Chu is working with his local Congressman and fellow Democrat Ro Khanna, to set the stage should the bill move ahead in California.

Florida already has sent a similar bill to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk. Both Arizona and Hawaii remain on standard time year-round.

Congress shifted the date to March in the mistaken thought that it would preserve energy. Chu believes that has been debunked and the twice-yearly shifts are detrimental to our health and well-being. Studies have indicated that the changes, particularly springing ahead in March, cause more traffic accident and heart attacks.

This week’s major storms coupled with the heavy rain and snowfall earlier this month brought back memories of my days covering the valley sports scene. When March dawned, it was time for the basketball playoffs and the Tournament of Champions at the Coliseum Arena (now Oracle). The tournament pre-dated the North Coast Section playoffs that now dominate the scene—it was the postseason event.

The only factor we could count on—seemingly every year—was using an umbrella walking to and from the Arena. Rainfall routinely accompanied the tournament. So, it is this March as well as the storms have added substantially to a snowpack that was woefully low after a record-dry January and a February that wasn’t much better.

If the Thursday forecast holds, we likely will be seeing snow on Mt. Diablo and the hills to the south by the weekend.

Posted by Wondering why,
a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 1:20 pmWondering why is a registered user.

Eliminating daylight savings time - a laudable pursuit. Have we eliminated homelessness, cured every horrible disease, abolished childhood hunger, abuse, gun violence and hate crimes? I think time spent on measures to correct any/all of these issues first, would be much better than time spent on the urgent and all important matter of daylight savings time.

Posted by Corrine M. Bean,
a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 4:01 pmCorrine M. Bean is a registered user.

Are you saying "Wondering why" is wrong, just because they used a pseudonym? I've known people who have used their real names only to be harassed, insulted and cyber stalked. Just because you use your real name does not give you credibility. I happen to agree with "Wondering why"; this is a stupid thing to be spending time on when there is so much trouble in our country right now.

Posted by Michael Austin,
a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 5:37 pmMichael Austin is a registered user.

I am credible because I identify myself and take full responsibility for what I write. Where as, an anonymous poster is just that, posting comment and not accepting responsibility for the comment, comment is Not credible!

I have been harassed and insulted for my commentary on this forum. None of that has deterred me from continuing my commentary.

Posted by Madreial,
a resident of Canyon Oaks,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 3:23 am

The timekeepers backpedaled this end of the week, giving all of us a merry additional hour in bed. From Sandringham Time to why we even have Daylight Saving Time in any case, here's all that you have to think about the harvest time change. Web Link

Posted by Anna Bella,
a resident of Canyon Creek,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 7:21 am

Bill would put the subject of disposing of the twice-year time change to voters as a sacred revision. On the off chance that it passed, Web Link at that point it would take a demonstration of Congress to permit year-round light sparing time. Chu is working with his neighborhood Congressman and kindred Democrat Ro Khanna, to set the stage should the bill push forward in California.

Posted by Carrie M. Bean,
a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 9:21 amCarrie M. Bean is a registered user.

Michael Austin says "America is not capable of "eliminating homelessness, eliminating horrible disease, abolishing childhood hunger, abuse, gun violence and hate". That is NOT true; it's a convenient cop out. Are you saying we cannot feed hungry children in this nation where TONS of usable food are thrown out everyday? We are a country of waste and we CAN do better. We can find homes for the homeless if we wanted to; we can eliminate disease; we have done so in the past. We can eliminate gun violence; some people just don't want to. You are a "we can't; so just ignore it and move on to the next useless topic to make people think we are doing something" kind of person. I believe America/Americans CAN do anything! We have to TRY; not just give up before the fight starts. That's how dictators have gotten/remained in control in the past; the attitude that we can't win; so let's just give up. You are pathetic.

Carrie is not only inspirational in her posting but absolutely correct in the post. Please let me know what organization you are heading up to obtain these goals so that I may join and follow your lead to make the US and the World a better place. Once we cure the ills in the US we can move on to the violence in the middle east and the poverty in Africa as well as the European immigration problems. Can't wait to get started. Please don't ignore me I am serious.

Posted by Carrie M. Bean,
a resident of San Ramon,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 4:01 pmCarrie M. Bean is a registered user.

Sarcasm never filled a hungry child's stomach, but I assume by your post "WOW" that you have no interest in even TRYING to help them. Sleep well at night. I hope you never need any help. But in the off chance that you do have a conscience, go to your local school on a Friday afternoon and give your sarcastic spiel to the kids leaving there who will not eat again until they go back to school on Monday morning. I'm sure they'll appreciate your wit.

Posted by Michael Austin,
a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Mar 16, 2018 at 5:50 pmMichael Austin is a registered user.

Carrie M. Bean is posting as registered user A resident of San Ramon, and Carrie M. Bean is posting as registered user A resident of Livermore. Probably also posting as the troll Wondering why, a registered user A resident of Livermore.

Posted by Carrie M. Bean,
a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 9:42 amCarrie M. Bean is a registered user.

Well "WOW", if you SERIOUSLY want to help people, the opportunities are all around you. For example, there is a group at my kids school that makes up bags for the needy children to take home on Friday afternoons so they'll have something to eat over the weekend. I donate funds and food items. I participate in a church group that sews dresses for needy children and provides undergarments and socks. I give to Tri Valley Haven, that does a lot of good works for the needy of the Tri Valley and I give to my local church pantry. I also give to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which provides treatment and care for children with cancer at no charge to their families. Care to match me?

Posted by Carrie M. Bean,
a resident of Livermore,
on Mar 20, 2018 at 10:43 amCarrie M. Bean is a registered user.

You asked WOW, so I responded. I'm not preaching, I'm challenging people to do what's right. You started the sarcastic rant without considering the fact that a lot of people COULD help, but don't. They sometimes need " a boot up the bum" as my Dad used to say, to get them going.